Anthropology

Judi Lynn

(162,784 posts) Wed Jan 8, 2025, 07:13 AM Jan 8

The Ancient "Wheel Of Ghosts" Has Turned 40 Meters Since It Was Built 5,000 Years Ago

We're back to square one for why the "Stonehenge of the East" was built.

BENJAMIN TAUB
Freelance Writer

Edited
by
Katy Evans

An aerial shot of the 5,000-year old stone concentric circle known as the "wheel of ghosts".
Rujm el-Hiri in the Middle East is eerily similar to another circular structure in Crete.

Image credit: Bukvoed via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

The mystery surrounding one of the largest megalithic monuments in the Middle East has deepened significantly, as new research has just shattered the popular theory that the circular Rujm el-Hiri in the Golan Heights functioned as an astronomical observatory. Also known as the Wheel of Ghosts and the Levantine Stonehenge, this enigmatic labyrinthine structure is thought to be up to 5,000 years old, yet we’re back to square one in terms of understanding why it was built.

Originally uncovered in 1968, Rujm el-Hiri consists of a central cairn surrounded by multiple concentric circles made of basalt stones, connected via a series of radial walls. With a circumference of approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) and a diameter of 150 meters (492 feet), the massive monument and its purpose have been the subject of intense debate for more than half a century.

For instance, some archaeologists believe the Wheel of Ghosts served as a defensive fort, while others suggest it may mark the burial site of an important leader or political figure. Unfortunately, very few artifacts have been recovered from within the structure, which means researchers have virtually no clues to work with.

However, in 1998, a study came out that showed that Rujm el-Hiri’s symmetry axes and entrances were aligned to the directions of the solstices, equinoxes, Sirius, and other celestial bodies as they would have appeared in the Bronze Age sky. This led to the widespread belief that the ancient monument served as an astronomical observatory.

More:
https://www.iflscience.com/the-ancient-wheel-of-ghosts-has-turned-40-meters-since-it-was-built-5000-years-ago-77514

5 replies

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The Ancient "Wheel Of Ghosts" Has Turned 40 Meters Since It Was Built 5,000 Years Ago (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 8 OP

Astronomy, Astrology.............. Lovie777 Jan 8 #1

labyrinthine, sure, and probably aligned to the stars of a bygone age rampartd Jan 8 #2

Another article (see below) SARose Jan 8 #3

Thank you for the link! The 2nd aerial photo adds much more perspective. I totally appreciate it. Judi Lynn Jan 8 #4

"rotated by 40 meters" ... say WUT ?? eppur_se_muova Jan 8 #5

Lovie777

(15,942 posts)

1. Astronomy, Astrology..............

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Jan 8, 2025, 07:28 AM

Jan 8

mankind initially looked to the skies. Interesting read.

rampartd

(1,308 posts)

2. labyrinthine, sure, and probably aligned to the stars of a bygone age

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Jan 8, 2025, 07:30 AM

Jan 8

but i am looking at a fort, or at least a defensive position

chariots may have had a hard time making those angles at the gate, and maybe digging (or technology) can tell if the walls go deeper or were topped with timbers?

SARose

(1,057 posts)

3. Another article (see below)

Reply to rampartd (Reply #2)

Wed Jan 8, 2025, 07:51 AM

Jan 8

States there are approximately 42,000 basalt stones in the structure.

See here

That’s a lot of people working to move and place these stones by hand.

A very wealthy society could feed, clothe and house the many people it took to build this.

Very interesting, thanks!

Judi Lynn

(162,784 posts)

4. Thank you for the link! The 2nd aerial photo adds much more perspective. I totally appreciate it.

Reply to SARose (Reply #3)

Wed Jan 8, 2025, 08:14 AM

Jan 8

eppur_se_muova

(37,976 posts)

5. "rotated by 40 meters" ... say WUT ??

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Jan 8, 2025, 09:14 AM

Jan 8

To investigate whether this was indeed the case, the authors of a new study analyzed the tectonic movements of the area around the Sea of Galilee over the past 150 million years. According to the researchers, “the tectonic blocks of northern Israel have continuously moved along an elliptical trajectory in a counterclockwise direction” at an average rate of between 8 and 15 millimeters (0.3 to 0.6 inches) per year.

As a consequence, Rujm el-Hiri is likely to have rotated by about 40 meters (131 feet) over the past 4,000 years, which means its axes, entrances, and other features were originally constructed far from their current location.

“The region’s integrated geophysical analysis […] reveals that the Rujm el-Hiri site has rotated counterclockwise and shifted from its original location by tens of meters,” write the study authors. “This means that the current orientation of the radial walls and entrances was not the same as ~4000–2000 BCE, and the speculations that they were aligned with celestial bodies of the past are not supported.”

Umm, rotations are measured in angles, not distances. It's hard to know what is meant by "rotated 40 meters". See the bolded text for a more sensible wording from the original researchers' statement, not the journos' interpretation.

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